Essex Omicron variant: Targeted testing focuses on two Brentwood locations including KFC مطعم

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Target testing focuses on two Brentwood locations after finding the status of the new Omicron variant in the city.

It was announced yesterday (27 November) that the new variant has been found here in Essex as well as in Nottingham.

Essex County Council announced this evening (November 28) that contract trackers are focused on tracking individuals who attended a KFC restaurant on Brentwood High Street as well as those who visited a local church.

Read more: Covid news in and around Essex

Visitors to KFC on Brentwood High Street between 1pm and 5pm on November 19 are urged to take a PCR test immediately.

Members of the congregation who visited Trinity Church in Pilgrims Hatch on November 21 were issued the same call by the Essex County Council.

They are urged to attend mobile test units, for driving appointments only.

Essex County Council Public Health Director Dr Mike Gogarty said: “Thanks to the excellent work of our contact tracing devices, we have been able to identify two settings that are our focus for testing.

“The aim is to understand what, if any, occurred with the spread of the new variant within the community and to reduce the chance of any further spread. Robust contact tracing was performed after identification of the individual case.

“While carrying out this work, it is important that everyone take reasonable precautions – get a PCR test if you have symptoms, isolate when requested, wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, ventilate rooms, and get vaccines and boosters as soon as possible. time you can.

“It is important to break the chain of transmission as quickly as possible, and that is the point of additional testing. The fastest way to do this is for individuals who test positive to self-isolate immediately.

“Even if you are well, I would urge everyone to do their part to keep their community safe. If you are contacted, please follow the instructions for the test you have been given as soon as possible.”

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Dr Ravi Balakrishnan, Consultant in Health Protection, Britain’s Eastern Health Security Agency, said: “It is really important that those identified as needing PCR testing linked to the sites listed, apply and visit one of the mobile testing units in Brentwood. Omicron is a new variant and we have more It is more work to understand how easily this is transmitted, the antibody response and how well vaccines can protect against it.

“If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, you should self-isolate and take a PCR test. I urge everyone to accept their offer of vaccine and booster, wear a mask in crowded places, stores and on public transportation and continue to wash hands thoroughly and regularly I thank the people of Brentwood for their support as the pandemic continues to present challenges to us.”

A council spokesman confirmed yesterday that Fred Essex had previously traveled to South Africa and that the case was linked to the case found in Nottingham.

The spokesman said: “We are working with regional and local public health officials who are assessing the situation. All contacts of these individuals will be closely followed up and asked to be isolated and tested.”

“Individuals who have tested positive to date, as well as all of their family members are being retested and asked to self-isolate while tracing contacts.

“While carrying out this work, it is important that everyone take reasonable precautions – get a PCR test if you have symptoms, isolate when requested, wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, ventilate rooms, and get vaccines and boosters as soon as possible. time you can.”

A third case of Omicron in the UK was announced by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) today – with this person also having links to South Africa.

They are believed to have visited Westminster in London before leaving the county.

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